My Inner child

"You see many things through the eyes of a child.
Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded.
You cherish all of the details in life.
Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things." - The result of my inner child quiz!

Do you remember how carefree you were as a child? Children are typically honest, innocent, and filled with nonjudgmental and unconditional love. They are naturally curious and ask questions; they're mystified by objects and experiences we have chosen to take for granted. I certainly miss that outlook on life and every once in a while, I feel letting a childlike mentality take control is exactly what I need to help me feel refreshed.

The Inner Child is the aspect of each of us that is child-like: full of wonder and innocence, playful, spontaneous, in the moment, delicate, vulnerable, and nonjudgmental.

Some people believe that there is no such thing as a child like personality in each one of us. So then how do you explain the playful banter and the simple schoolyard gestures that most of us "adults" are guilty of? Where does that desire to feel tickled from time to time originate from? My vote goes to the undeniable fact that we all have an inner child.

Just yesterday I sat down for a few minutes before I started dinner and watched my wonderful other half take a short nap. My little boy comes to me holding an action figurine in each hand and says "DADDY!!!....GUYS WANNA FIGHT?" I looked him straight in the eye, smiled and said " OK buddy...let me see your guys and go get all the other guys and we'll fight! So I get up and go out into the living room and start to build this makeshift battle ring for these detailed plastic action figurines to duke it out until one emerges the victor! EXCITING!!!

AS I gather up his trucks, police cars and construction characters and create the audience for these ultimate warriors..I start to feel this light innocent tingling inside and with that all my adult inhibitions slowly going to a place that I didn't feel mattered...I got lost and started to embrace this sort of childlike reservoir from somewhere deep inside myself. It was relieving, almost therapeutical. Then we finally get the battle ground where this Ultimate Fighting Championship will take place all set up. Guys equipped and ready for battle. Ready......fight!

Bam! Pow!! Boom! Bsh Psh arrrgh!...were the noises coming out of my mouth as I brought these characters to life all the while watching the enthusiasm of this precious little boy as he cheers on his favorite guy.. "BAM BAM!! GET EM! GET EM GUY...OHHHH NOOOO!" The more I saw the excitement and happiness on his face the more animated I became..lost in this imaginative tournament. Before I realized it he was in the toy box searching for more warriors a few feet away as I continued to make these silly not even close to noises I would make in a normal conversation.

At that very moment, time was still, like I wasn't in reality, like I was in this made up world where anything goes...and it was OK, that there was no wrong or right or worry. The only emotion to be felt was complete and total happiness. Like a free spirit with no limits. Becoming aware of that feeling was even more powerful. After all the warriors were worn out and we had a champion, I just sat there and giggled at myself because it brought me back to when I used to play with my action figures as a kid and bring them to the fantasy battle grounds of my choice.

Those are the moments that are cherished and remembered and smiled upon. They are also the moments most easily forgotten by the ones who don't recognize an inner child. The ones that feel child like behavior is best left for the young in age. Reality is you have to nurture your inner child. No matter how hard you try, if you deny your Little Boy or Girl the love and acceptance they need to feel validated and safe enough to begin healing, they will no doubt sabotage you in ways you may not even notice. Your Inner Child needs you; you are the only true parent they can trust to be taken care of and nurtured. If abandoned by you, they will have nowhere else to go for help.

Then once lost, how does that define your inner self..how can ones inner self be free when its restrained by denying the child in you?